Chapter 14
681 Words
Anna walked into Noah’s house, her stomach twisting into knots the moment her eyes landed on Isabella. The woman sat comfortably on Noah’s couch, a glass of wine in her hand, looking perfectly at home. Juliet stood beside her, wearing a pleased smile that made Anna’s blood boil.
“Anna,” Juliet greeted, her tone dripping with false sweetness. “You remember Isabella, don’t you?”
Anna crossed her arms, her lips pressing into a thin line. “Oh, I remember her quite well.”
Isabella stood, feigning surprise. “Anna, it’s been so long. I wasn’t sure you’d still be around.”
“I’m sure you weren’t,” Anna replied coldly. Her eyes flickered toward Noah, who sat at the dining table, watching the exchange with a confused expression.
Juliet stepped forward, her voice deliberately light. “I was just introducing Isabella to Noah. She’s been such a good friend to him in the past.”
Anna scoffed. “Oh, is that what we’re calling it now?”
Noah frowned, his gaze shifting between Anna and Isabella. “Why do I feel like there’s something I don’t know?”
Isabella laughed softly, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Oh, Noah, don’t let Anna get to you. She’s just a little emotional.”
Anna clenched her fists, feeling her patience snap. “Emotional? Do you want to tell him the truth, Isabella, or should I?”
Juliet stepped in before Isabella could respond. “Anna, there’s no need for drama. Noah needs stability, not stress.”
Anna turned to Noah, her voice firm. “She’s not just your ‘female bestie,’ Noah. She’s the reason we divorced.”
Noah’s expression darkened as he looked at Isabella. “Is that true?”
Isabella gave an uneasy smile. “That’s… a complicated story.”
Noah’s jaw tightened. “Then simplify it. Why does Anna hate you so much?”
The room went silent. Anna felt her heart racing, waiting for Isabella’s next move. Juliet shifted uncomfortably, while Isabella’s confidence wavered for the first time.
“Because she thinks I took you away from her,” Isabella finally said. “But Noah, you and I… we’ve always been close.”
Noah studied her carefully. Something about the way she spoke felt… off. He didn’t remember much, but his gut told him not to trust her completely.
Anna shook her head, stepping back. “I should’ve known this would happen.” She turned to leave, ignoring the burning in her chest. “I hope you’re happy, Noah.”
With that, she walked out, leaving behind a silence thick with tension. Noah watched her go, his fingers tightening into a fist. Something about this situation felt wrong. And for the first time since the accident, he felt an urgent need to uncover the truth.
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Later that night, Noah sat alone in his room, staring at the ceiling. Isabella had stayed a little longer, trying to smooth things over, but he could sense the unease in her words. Juliet had assured him that Anna was simply being dramatic, but that didn’t sit right with him.
He picked up his phone and scrolled through old messages, hoping to find something that would jog his memory. Most of them were impersonal—business-related emails, casual conversations—but nothing deep. Then, almost by accident, he stumbled upon an old photo album labeled Forever & Always.
His hands trembled as he clicked on it. Picture after picture of him and Anna filled the screen—laughing, holding hands, stolen moments that told a story his mind had erased. In some, she was wearing a wedding dress, her eyes shining with love.
A sharp pang hit his chest.
If Anna had meant nothing, why did these pictures feel so… real?
Just then, his phone buzzed with a message from Isabella.
Don’t listen to Anna. She’s only trying to confuse you. I’m the one who’s always been there.
Noah exhaled slowly, his grip tightening on the phone. Something wasn’t right. And he was going to find out exactly what.
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